US20120106972A1 - Universal remote control - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal remote control includes a hand held housing; a plurality of button zones provided on a substantial portion of a top surface of the housing, each button zone comprising a plurality of pushbuttons each having a character printed thereon; a control assembly partially exposed on the housing and comprising a Bluetooth module, a laser module, a pointer control module, an IR module, an RF module, a control unit electrically connected to each of the modules for controlling its operations, and a switch for manually activating the control unit; and a battery provided in the housing for supplying power to the control assembly. In responses to generating a signal by pressing the pushbutton, the control unit receives the signal and sends same to one of the IR module, the RF module, the Bluetooth module, and the laser module for transmission.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of Invention
• The invention relates to remote controls and more particularly to a universal remote control with improved characteristics.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• A remote control is a component of an electronics device for operating the device wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance. Remote controls for televisions, stereo systems, or DVD (Digital Video Disc) players are typically small wireless handheld objects having an array of push buttons for adjusting various settings such as television channel, track number, and volume. Most remote controls communicate to their respective devices via infrared (IR) signals.
• There is a type of remote control capable of operating multiple electronic devices commercially available. Advantage of this remote control is that it can learn remote signals from different devices. It has the ability to perform specific or multiple functions at various times with its built-in clock. Also, it can be linked to a computer and loaded with updated software code as needed.
• Recently, the number of consumer electronic devices in most homes is greatly increased, along with the number of remotes to control those devices. Typically, one remote control is for one consumer electronic device. For example, to operate a home theater as many as five remotes may be required, including one for cable or satellite receiver, or DVD player. Several of these remotes may need to be used sequentially but, as there are no accepted interface guidelines, the process is increasingly cumbersome. To the worse, it is very confusing and unwieldy and may easily frustrate users. Nowadays, a type of universal remote controls capable of managing multiple devices is becoming increasingly popular.
• Most mice and keyboards are connected to computers by wire. However, distance between, for example, a mouse and a computer is limited due to the limitation of the cable length. There are wireless mice and keyboards commercially available. However, its cost is relatively high. Thus, the need for a universal remote control still exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a universal remote control comprising a hand held housing; a plurality of button zones provided on a substantial portion of a top surface of the housing, each button zone comprising a plurality of pushbuttons each having a character printed thereon; a control assembly partially exposed on the housing and comprising a Bluetooth module, a laser module, a pointer control module, an IR module, an RF module, a control unit electrically connected to each of the modules for controlling its operations, and a switch for manually activating the control unit; and a battery provided in the housing for supplying power to the control assembly, wherein in responses to generating a signal by pressing the pushbutton, the control unit receives the signal and sends same to one of the IR module, the RF module, the Bluetooth module, and the laser module for transmission.
• The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal remote control according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control assembly of the remote control ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a universal remote control according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control assembly of the remote control ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the trackball ofFIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a universal remote control according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control assembly of the remote control ofFIG. 7; and
• FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the OFN ofFIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a universalremote control1 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.
• A rectangular,thin profile housing2 is adapted to be held by the hand. Preferably, thehousing2 is ergonomic for ease of holding by the hand.
• A plurality of (e.g., two as shown)button zones3 are provided on a substantial portion of top surface of thehousing2. Eachbutton zone3 comprises a plurality ofpushbuttons33 each having a character printed thereon. Alternatively, eachbutton zone3 is implemented as a touch pad (not shown) having a plurality of virtual keys (not shown). Thepushbuttons33 are provided either on an alphanumeric keypad (similar to a computer keyboard)31 or an equipment andoperation selecting section32.
• Acontrol assembly4 comprises a Bluetoothmodule46 adapted to communicate with a personal computer (PC) wirelessly. Hence, a user may press one of thepushbuttons33 on thekeypad31 to send a signal to the computer for data input similar to the typical keyboarding.
• The equipment andoperation selecting section32 can communicate to respective devices (e.g., televisions, stereo systems, or DVD players (all not shown)) via infrared (IR) signals or radio frequency (RF) signals.
• Thecontrol assembly4 has a portion exposed on thehousing2. Thecontrol assembly4 comprises, in addition to the Bluetoothmodule46, alaser module47, a pointer control module, anIR module44, anRF module45, acontrol unit42 electrically connected to each of the above components for controlling its operation, and aswitch41 for manually activating thecontrol unit42 or not.
• In the embodiment, the pointer control module is provided within thehousing2 and implemented as a vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope43A driven by static-electricity and sensed by capacitance. The vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope43A is provided on an integrated circuit (IC) in thehousing2 and comprises a ring shapedbase432, a supportinghub433 on a center of thebase432, a plurality of (preferably the number being a multiple of two with four shown inFIG. 3) equally spaced suspendingarms434 extending horizontally out of the supportinghub433, an arcshaped platform431 having a center formed with an outer end of each of the suspending arms434 (i.e., forming a discontinuous ring shape), a plurality of (four are shown) staticelectricity driving electrodes435 each sandwiched between theupper platform431 and thebase432, and two metalliccapacitance sensing electrodes436 formed on tops of both ends of eachplatform431 respectively (i.e., eight metallic capacitance sensing electrodes436). Thecapacitance sensing electrode436 is formed on theplatform431 by micro-electroplating technique. The vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope43A employs thecapacitance sensing electrodes436 as an inertia weight.
• When the staticelectricity driving electrodes435 are activated by applying voltage thereto, the suspendingarms434 and theplatforms431 are attracted by static electricity to vibrate in Z direction. Vibration phase difference between two adjacent suspendingarms434 is 180 degrees and that between twoadjacent platforms431 is also 180 degrees. When the vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope43A rotates in X direction or Y direction, the suspendingarms434 and theplatforms431 displace in X direction or Y direction due to Coriolis effect. Thecapacitance sensing electrodes436 will generate different capacitances because distance between onecapacitance sensing electrode436 on oneplatform431 and the othercapacitance sensing electrode436 on theadjacent platform431 is changed. Angular speed or angular acceleration of the vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope43A can be obtained by measuring the change of capacitances.
• Theswitch41 can be pressed to activate one of theIR module44, theRF module45, the Bluetoothmodule46, and thelaser module47 via thecontrol unit42. A signal is generated by pressing apushbutton33 on thebutton zone3. Then thecontrol unit42 receives the signal and sends same to one of theIR module44, theRF module45, the Bluetoothmodule46, and thelaser module47 for transmission.
• For example, theswitch41 can be pressed to enable theIR module44 or theRF module45 so that a user may hold theremote control1 to activate a TV, a DVD player, or a projector. Alternatively, theswitch41 can be pressed to enable the Bluetoothmodule46 so that the user may hold theremote control1 to communicate with a PC and send data thereto by pressing thepushbuttons33 on thekeypad31. Still alternatively, theswitch41 can be pressed to enable thelaser module47 to cause theremote control1 to project laser light to a target. For controlling movement of a cursor or a pointer, the user may use the hand to move or rotate theremote control1 to achieve the goal because the pointer control module is implemented as a vibratory doubleaxially sensing micro-gyroscope43A in the embodiment.
• It is contemplated that theremote control1 can be used a universal (i.e., multi-function) remote control by configuring the invention as above.
• Moreover, abattery5 is provided within thehousing2 for supplying power to thecontrol assembly4.
• Referring toFIGS. 4 to 6, a universalremote control1 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following:
• The pointer control module is implemented as atrackball43B comprising abase20, alaser source generator23, alocus ball26, alight sensing element27, and akey cover30 each discussed in detail below.
• Alaser module47 and a light sensing module (not shown) are provided in thebase20.Bottom plate21 of thebase20 is fastened on thehousing2. Thelaser source generator23 is provided in a locating hole (not numbered) formed in one of a plurality oflateral plates22. Thelocus ball26 is moveably received in and supported by a supporting bore (not numbered) on atop plate25 of thebase20. The supporting bore has an annular edge diverging upward and the edge has the same curvature as thelocus ball26. Aspace24 is defined between thetop plate25 and thebottom plate21 in thebase20. Thelight sensing element27 is disposed in thespace24. Thelaser source generator23 is a semiconductor laser diode for projecting a laser light. Thelaser source generator23 is lightweight, compact, low in power consumption, and energy saving. Further, thelaser source generator23 is capable of emitting light with single color and frequency. Light impinged on an interference strip figure of thelocus ball26 may be reflected to thelight sensing element27 for analysis and calculation. As a result, direction and movement of thelocus ball26 can precisely obtained. Thelocus ball26 is partially exposed on the supporting bore and has a lower portion hidden by thebase20 and facing thelaser source generator23. Thelocus ball26 has a diameter about 5 mm.
• Thelight sensing element27 can capture light reflected by thelocus ball26 and generate a control signal to indicate direction and movement of thelocus ball26. A cursor on the computer screen may move in response to the direction and movement of the movinglocus ball26. Thekey cover30 is shaped to cover the base20 completely and has an annular hole on the top to permit an upper portion of thelocus ball26 to extend outward through. Thus, a user may rotate thelocus ball26 to move the cursor toward a desired position on the computer screen.
• It is contemplated that theremote control1 can be used a universal (i.e., multi-function) remote control by configuring the invention as above.
• Referring toFIGS. 7 to 9, a universal remote control in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following: The pointer control module is implemented as an optical finger navigation (OFN)43C partially exposed on thehousing2. TheOFN43C comprises a printed circuit board (PCB)104, anoptical sensor102 on top of thePCB104, atactile switch106 on the underside of thePCB104, and a surface208 under theswitch106 as detailed below.
• Theoptical sensor102 comprises a light source and a pixel array for capturing pattern of a moving image.
• Alternatively, thePCB104 is replaced with a flexible PCB (FPCB) having increased flexibility.
• ThePCB104 comprises a pair of side circuit boards each having at least one component which is electrically connected to thePCB104.
• Theoptical sensor102 is adhered to a die pad encapsulated by a lead frame. Theoptical sensor102 can sense the presence of the hand by a distance which can be relatively long, short, or therebetween in use. After sensing the presence of the hand, theoptical sensor102 can generate a signal for indication.
• It is contemplated that theremote control1 can be used a universal (i.e., multi-function) remote control by configuring the invention as above.
• While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A universal remote control comprising:

a hand held housing;

a plurality of button zones provided on a substantial portion of a top surface of the housing, each button zone comprising a plurality of pushbuttons each having a character printed thereon;

a control assembly partially exposed on the housing and comprising a Bluetooth module, a laser module, a pointer control module, an infrared (IR) module, a radio frequency (RF) module, a control unit electrically connected to each of the modules for controlling its operations, and a switch for manually activating the control unit; and

a battery provided in the housing for supplying power to the control assembly,

wherein in responses to generating a signal by pressing the pushbutton, the control unit receives the signal and sends same to one of the IR module, the RF module, the Bluetooth module, and the laser module for transmission.

2. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein the pointer control module is disposed in the housing and is a vibratory double axially sensing micro-gyroscope comprising a ring shaped base, a supporting hub on a center of the base, a plurality of equally spaced suspending arms extending horizontally out of the supporting hub, an arc shaped platform having a center formed with an outer end of each of the suspending arms, a plurality of static electricity driving electrodes each sandwiched between the platform and the base, and two metallic capacitance sensing electrodes formed on tops of both ends of each platform respectively.

3. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein the pointer control module is a trackball comprising a base, a laser source generator, a locus ball, a light sensing element, and a key cover, and wherein the laser module and a light sensing module are provided in the base, a bottom plate of the base is fastened on the housing, the laser source generator is provided in a locating hole formed in one of a plurality of lateral plates, the locus ball is moveably received in and supported by a supporting bore on a top plate of the base, a space is defined between the top plate and the bottom plate in the base, the light sensing element is disposed in the space, the laser source generator is a semiconductor laser diode for projecting a laser light on the locus ball and being reflected to the light sensing element, and the locus ball is partially exposed on the supporting bore and has a lower portion hidden by the base and facing the laser source generator.

4. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein the pointer control module is an optical finger navigation (OFN) partially exposed on the housing, the OFN comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), an optical sensor on the top of the PCB, a tactile switch on the underside of the PCB, and a surface under the switch, and wherein the optical sensor comprises a light source and a pixel array for capturing pattern of a moving image, the PCB comprises a pair of side circuit boards each having at least one component which is electrically connected to the PCB, the optical sensor is adhered to a die pad encapsulated by a lead frame, and the optical sensor can sense the presence of the hand so that after sensing the presence of the hand, the optical sensor can generate a signal for indication.

5. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein a first one of the button zones is an alphanumeric keypad.

6. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein a second one of the button zones is an equipment and operation selecting section for communicating to a respective one of devices including a television, a stereo system, and a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player.

7. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein the Bluetooth module is adapted to communicate with a personal computer (PC) wirelessly.

8. The universal remote control ofclaim 1, wherein each of the button zones is a touch pad having a plurality of virtual keys.

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